420 



found, with their angles rounded as if by bowldering, and which re- 

 semble those which help to form the bony breccia of Gibraltar and of 

 Dalmatia. 



To the unremitting labours of M. Cuvier we are indebted for al- 

 most every important information relative to the nature of these bones. 

 From the numerous specimens which he has obtained, he is enabled 

 to state the astonishing fact, that these bones are similar, in the se- 

 veral caverns of an extent of more than two hundred leagues; that 

 three fourths of these bones belonged to species of bear not known now 

 to exist ; a half) or two thirds of the other fourth, to a species of hyena 

 now existing ; and the remainder to some species of the lion or tiger, to 

 the wolf, dog, fox, polecat, or some similar animals. 



Kundrnan, Walch, Esper, and several others, have failed in their en- 

 deavours to determine to what genus of animals these bones had belonged. 

 Bruckman compared them to those of the bear ; and M. Fuchs was of opi- 

 nion, that the fossil skull very much resembled that of the polar bear, which 

 opinion was opposed by the celebrated Camper. M. Rosenmuller ap- 

 pears to have been the first who obtained any correct notions respecting 

 these fossils. His comparisons led him to the conclusion, that the bear of 

 these caves was different from the brown bear, as well as from the white 

 or polar bear. Camper appears to have proceeded a step further, and 

 to have discovered, that among the bones of these caves were those of 

 another species of bear, which he calls the true bear. Blumenbach per- 

 ceived this difference in the fossil species, and in consequence named the 

 one the Ursus spelceus, and the other Ursus arctoideus. 



But it is to M. Cuvier that we are indebted, not only for a more 

 distinct separation of these species from each other, but for an accurate 

 comparison of the fossil with the several living species. He was supplied 

 by M. Autenreith and Camper with the information which they pos- 

 sessed as to the fossils of Gaylenreuth ; by M. Carsten with correct draw- 

 ings of the specimens of Sundwich, in the Museum of Berlin ; and he 

 also had the full advantage of the Museum of the Landgrave of Hesse 

 Darmstadt, and of several private collections. In addition to these he 



